Automatic cap/cover locators and orientation guides

ABSTRACT

A closure device for joining a barrel and receptacle comprising a cylindrical barrel having a barrel lip at one end of the cylindrical barrel, and a barrel base at a second end of the cylindrical barrel, an outside surface having an outside diameter attaching the barrel base to the barrel lip, a plurality of substantially triangular projections disposed on the outside surface aligned along the barrel base, an annular depression adjacent the barrel lip, a cylindrical receptacle for receiving said cylindrical barrel having a receptacle lip at one end of the cylindrical receptacle and a receptacle base at a second end of the cylindrical receptacle, an inside surface having an inside diameter wherein the inside diameter is nominally equal to the outside diameter of said barrel, a plurality of substantially triangular indentations disposed on the inside surface aligned along the receptacle base having a reciprocal shape to the triangular projections disposed on the outside surface along aligned along the barrel base, and an annular bead adjacent the receptacle lip.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority of Provisional No. 60/171,943,filed on Dec. 23, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to an automatic cap/coverlocator and orientation guide having application for various types ofcontainers. More particularly, the invention relates to a device forproperly aligning a container having two pieces or for aligning thecover with respect to a container so that a proper connection and sealis effected. Furthermore, the device of the present invention preventsthe misalignment of the two separate pieces or the cap and containerafter being closed.

[0003] Packaging formed of a tube having two connectable pieces andcontainers with covers, which hermetically seal such containers, havebeen in use for some time.

[0004] Typically, the covers of such containers are installed by placingthe cover over the container, pressing firmly, and working the edges ofthe cover over the rim of the container into the sealed position. Wheninitially pressing the cover into position, the cover may tend to shiftslightly one way or the other. For container rims having shapes, such assquare or rectangular, misalignment of the cover relative to thecontainer can present a problem. For example, a misaligned cover cancause the container to warp when the cover is on or make it impossibleto completely install the cover. A misaligned cover can also affect thehermetic seal between the cover and the container. Furthermore, forcontainers having a substantially cylindrical shape, a displacement ofthe cover and container after the container has been put in place on thecontainer can present a problem. If the contents adhere to the innerwalls of the container, they can be rotated axially, corresponding tothe displacement of the cover and container. This can potentially damagethe contents.

[0005] In addition, tube type packaging is usually made of twotelescoping pieces, wherein one half of the tube is placed within theother to form a closed container. However, typically the two pieces arefree to rotate with respect to one another. Furthermore, the volumewithin the two portions is not fixed because the two portions are freeto translate lengthwise with respect to each other while connected toform a tube. Thus, a tube constructed in the usual manner is notsuitable for many uses due to the problems stated above.

[0006] What is desired therefore is an alignment means for a closuredevice for hermetically joining two portions of a packaging container,so that when the two portions are sealably attached both rotational andtranslational motion between the two portions is prevented when they arein physical communication. More specifically, a locator and orientationguide for various shapes, which requires registration of two potions ofa container in order to sealably close the container.

[0007] It is also desired to provide a device to improve hermeticallysealable containers and covers.

[0008] It is also desired to provide a device to assure proper alignmentof the cover of a container as it is closed.

[0009] It is also desired to provide a locator and orientation guidearrangement for properly positioning a cover with respect to a containerprior to closing the container.

[0010] It is also desired to provide a locator and orientation guidearrangement for preventing the movement of the cover relative to thecontainer when the cover is sealably affixed to the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art byproviding in a first aspect a closure device for joining a barrel andreceptacle comprising a cylindrical barrel having a barrel lip at oneend of the cylindrical barrel, and a barrel base at a second end of thecylindrical barrel, an outside surface having an outside diameterattaching the barrel base to the barrel lip, a plurality ofsubstantially triangular projections disposed on the outside surfacealigned along the barrel base, an annular depression adjacent the barrellip, a cylindrical receptacle for receiving said cylindrical barrelhaving a receptacle lip at one end of the cylindrical receptacle and areceptacle base at a second end of the cylindrical receptacle, an insidesurface having an inside diameter wherein the inside diameter isnominally equal to the outside diameter of said barrel, a plurality ofsubstantially triangular indentations disposed on the inside surfacealigned along the receptacle base having a reciprocal shape to thetriangular projections disposed on the outside surface along alignedalong the barrel base, and an annular bead adjacent the receptacle lip.

[0012] In another aspect of the present invention, a closure device isprovided having a plurality of annular depressions adjacent the barrellip, and a plurality of annular beads adjacent the receptacle lip.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention a closure device isprovided wherein said barrel and receptacle are each connected to acontainer and cover respectively.

[0014] In still a further aspect of the present invention, a closuredevice is provided wherein said barrel and receptacle have a perimeterof the shape chosen from the group comprising ellipsoid, square,pentagon, hexagon, heptagon or octagon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] These and other objects and advantages of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment of the invention when taken into conjunction withthe drawings wherein:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container and cover capassembly.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the barrel and receptacle.

[0018]FIG. 3 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the containerassembly.

[0019]FIG. 4 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of the containerassembly.

[0020]FIG. 5 is an exemplary cross-sectional view of an alternateembodiment of the container and cover cap assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENT

[0021] Referring more specifically to the drawings, and in particular toFIGS. 1-5, the container closure device of the present invention hasbeen presented with respect to its application for a cylindricalcontainer and cover. The closure device can be either integrally formedwith a container and cover or formed separately and bonded thereto. Aswill be appreciated, the container and cover can be of otherconfigurations. The closure device, while not limited thereto, has forpurposes of illustration and description been presented to conform tothe cylindrical container. The closure assembly is formed from aresilient and moderately deformable substance that will deformsufficient to permit full seating of the annular bead, which form partof the closure device, while retaining its original shape and structuralrigidity.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, the container 100 includes a substantiallyplaner bottom 101, a peripheral wall 102 integral with the periphery ofthe bottom and extending vertically upwards therefrom and an open topdefined by the lip of the cylinder 103. The lip of the cylinder willtypically have a radiused edge, consistent with the dimensions of thecontainer. The peripheral wall defines an inner diameter of a cylinder104 and an outer casing 105 with the outer casing having a substantiallytriangular shape. The inner cylinder having a circular cross-section,which may be constant for the height of the wall, or may have a varyingcross-section, depending on the requirements imposed by the prospectiveuse of the container.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the outer casing extends from the planarbottom to a shoulder 201 at a point, this is approximately ninetypercent of the height of the container. The shoulder defines a surfaceparallel to the planar bottom and is inset from the vertical casingsurface. The outer edge of the shoulder 202 defines the periphery of thecasing. The inner edge of the shoulder 203 defines the circumference ofthe outside of a barrel 204, which extends from the shoulder to the lipof the cylinder 205. The outer peripheral wall of the barrel is providedin this embodiment with a plurality of outward projections 206 extendingfrom the shoulder to a height equal to approximately ⅔ to ¾ of thebarrel and are spaced evenly about the circumference of the barrel. Theprojections are substantially triangular with the base of eachprojection 207 along the edge of the shoulder. The sides of eachprojection are equal in length and have the same angle from the base tothe vertex for each projection. The projections come to a point 208 at aheight equal to approximately ⅔ to ¾ of the barrel. Disposed on theouter peripheral wall of the barrel above the triangular projections, isan indented circumferential depression 209.

[0024] Referring again to FIG. 1, the cap portion 1000 includes asubstantially planer top 105, a peripheral wall 106 integral with theperiphery of the top and extending vertically downwards therefrom and anopen bottom defined by the lip of the cylinder 107. The lip of thecylinder will typically have a radiused edge, consistent with thedimensions of the container. The peripheral wall defines a cylindricalinner surface 108 and an outer casing 109 with the outer casing having asubstantially triangular shape. The inner cylindrical surface extendsfrom the planar top to a shoulder 110 at a point, which is approximatelyninety percent of the height of the cap. The inner cylindrical surfacehas a circular cross-section, wherein the diameter is equal to thecontainer inner diameter.

[0025] Turning again to FIG. 2, the shoulder 210 defines a surfaceparallel to the planar top and is offset from the inner cylindricalsurface, forming a receptacle 211, which conforms to the shape of thebarrel of the container. The diameter of the receptacle is larger thanthe diameter of the cylindrical inner surface. The outer edge of theshoulder 212 defines the circumference of the bottom edge of thecylindrical surface. The inner edge of the shoulder 213 defines the topedge of the receptacle. The inner peripheral wall of the receptacle isprovided in this embodiment with a plurality of inward indentations 214extending from the shoulder to a height equal to approximately ⅔ to ¾ ofthe barrel and are spaced evenly about the circumference of the barrel.The indentations are substantially triangular with the base of eachindentation 215 along the edge of the cover cap lip. The sides of eachindentation are equal in length and have the same angle from the base tothe vertex for each indentation. The indentations come to a point 216 ata height equal to approximately ⅔ to ¾ of the receptacle.

[0026] Disposed on the wall of the receptacle above the triangularindentations, is a raised circumferential bead 217. This beads functionas the seal for the container by mating with a circumferentialdepression 209 in the barrel. The seal is achieved by thecircumferential bead 217 resiliently bearing against the circumferentialdepression 209 in the cap cover and exerting an uniform axialcompressive force of the circumferential bead against thecircumferential depression.

[0027] Exemplary cross-sectional views of the container and cover capare shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition, while the present invention hasbeen described with respect to a triangular casing, alternateembodiments, as shown in FIG. 5 are also possible. Exemplary shapes forthe casing perimeter includes circular, ellipsoid, square, pentagon,hexagon, heptagon, octagon or other such polygonal shapes. Likewise, thebarrel and receptacle could also be formed of differentthree-dimensional geometric shapes. Exemplary shapes for the barrel andreceptacle perimeter includes circular, ellipsoid, square, pentagon,hexagon, heptagon, octagon or other such polygonal shapes.

[0028] The projections function as guides for the alignment of the capand container and the shoulder functions as a support or stop for thebottom edge of the cover cap, as described presently.

[0029] The cover cap receptacle 211 is placed over the open end of thecontainer barrel 204. The cover container 100 and the cover cap 1000 arealigned into the proper orientation during the capping process byoperation of the projections 206 and indentations 216. If the containerand cap are not properly aligned the edge of the projections will bearagainst the edge of the indentations as the barrel is moved within thereceptacle thereby indexing the container and cover cap by providing arotational motion to properly align the barrel with the receptacle. Whenproper alignment is achieved, then the barrel can be fully inserted intothe receptacle. The cap receptacle 211 is then forced onto the barrel204 whereupon the circumfrential bead 217 snaps over the uppercircumferential depression 209. Since the barrel and receptacle areformed of resilient and slightly deformable material, the bead willdeform to the extent necessary to permit the seating of the bead 217within the depression 209, thereby effecting a seal.

[0030] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and its practical application,to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize theinvention and various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scopeof the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A closure device for joining a barrel andreceptacle comprising; a cylindrical barrel having a barrel lip at oneend of said cylindrical barrel, and a barrel base at a second end ofsaid cylindrical barrel, an outside surface having an outside diameterattaching said barrel base to said barrel lip, a plurality ofsubstantially triangular projections disposed on said outside surfacealigned along said barrel base, an annular depression adjacent thebarrel lip, a cylindrical receptacle for receiving said cylindricalbarrel having a receptacle lip at one end of said cylindrical receptacleand a receptacle base at a second end of said cylindrical receptacle, aninside surface having an inside diameter wherein said inside diameter isnominally equal to said outside diameter of said barrel, a plurality ofsubstantially triangular indentations disposed on said inside surfacealigned along said receptacle base having a reciprocal shape to saidtriangular projections disposed on said outside surface along alignedalong said barrel base, and an annular bead adjacent the receptacle lip.2. A closure device according to claim 1 having a plurality of annulardepressions adjacent the barrel lip, and a plurality of annular beadsadjacent the receptacle lip.
 3. A closure device according to claim 1wherein said barrel and receptacle are each connected to a container andcover respectively.
 4. A closure device according to claim 1 whereinsaid barrel and receptacle have a perimeter of the shape chosen from thegroup comprising ellipsoid, square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon oroctagon.